Portable road signal



Filed May 2, 1949 IN V EN TOR. Eon A e0 5 7k4/Y5UE ,4 7' TOE/V57 Patented a. 14, 1952 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,613,463 PORTABLE ROAD SIGNAL Edward S. Transue, Denver, 0010.

Application May 2, 1949, Serial No. 93,210

3 Claims. (01.40-125) v This invention relates to a warning road sig-. nal device for automotive vehicles. It is occasionally necessary for a vehicle to stop on a busy road for repairs, etc. Trucks and buses carry signal flares and flags which can be placed in the roadway on such occasions to warn oncomin vehicles of the stoppage.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple, highly efiicient, light-weight, economical, easily carried, and easily erected device which can be carried in a passenger automobile to be placed in the roadway to .warn oncoming vehicles of a stopped vehicle.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a face view of the improved caution signal device in the erected position; a

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof; Fig. 3 is a similar side view, illustrating the device in the folded position; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through an alternate metallic double form of the device; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail section illustrating a spring hinge construction employed in the alternate form of the device.

The improved warning signal device is contained in an open-topped, elongated box .IU which may be formed either of wood, metal, plastic, or other light-weight, economical, sturdy material.

A signal board comprising a lower board section II and an upper board section I 2 is contained within the box Ill. The lower board section II is mounted upon suitable spring hinges I3 secured to the bottom of the box ID at one extremity thereof. The springs of the hinges I3 constantly urge the section II upwardly toward a vertical position against one end of the box.

The length of the section I I is such as to fit snugly into the length of the box I0 when the former is folded downwardly therein.

The upper board section I2 is mounted upon the upper extremity of the section I 0 by means of spring hinges I4. The springs of the hinges l4 constantly urge the upper sections into abutting alignment with the lower section II, as shown in Fig. 2.

The lower board section I I may be locked in its upright, vertical position by means of locking pins I5 which extend through the sides of the box from leaf springs I6 attached to the exterior thereof. By lifting the springs outwardly from the box, the pins I5 may be released irom the section II.

Both the board sections II and i2 carry suitable lettering I1 on either or both sides displaying any suitable wording, such as Danger," Slow, Caution, etc. The lettering I! is preferably formed from phosphoric or reflecting paint or from reflecting glass beads so as to be visible at night and in the headlights of approaching vehicles. p

A cross foot member I8 is mounted at its middle on a pivot bolt I9 extending through the bottom of the box. The cross foot is arranged to rest in either a longitudinal recess 20 or a transverse recess 2I formed in the bottom of the box. The cross foot is constantly pulled into the recesses 20 and 2| by means of a bolt spring 22.

When it is desired to fold the device, the springs I6 are released and the lower board section II is forced downwardly against the action of the spring hinges I3 into the box, and the upper board section is folded backwardl against the action of the spring hinges I4 onto the top of the lower section, where it is locked in place within the box by means of the pins I5.

To erect the device, it is only necessary to pull outwardly on the springs I6. allowing the spring hinges I3 and I4 to snap the two sections of the signal board to their vertical positions.

. In Figs. 5 and 6 a metal form of the invention is illustrated having the same elements as the previously described form. This form employs a rectangular metal box 23 closed by means of a rectangular box-like lid 24. A first elongated sign member 25 is hinged within one extremity of the box 23 upon a hinge pin 25. A coiled wire spring 2'! surrounds the pins 26 and constantly urges the member 25 to a vertical position against one end of the box. A second sign member 28 is hinged to the extremity of the first member 25 upon a hinge 29 surrounded by a spring so which urges the two members into vertical alignment as in the previously described form.

The lid 24 also has a first sign member 32, hinged within one extremity thereof on a hinge pin 33 provided with a sprin 34, and a second sign member 35 hinged to the first member 32 upon a pin 36 provided with a spring 31. When the lid 24 is removed and inverted the springs 34 and 31 act to force the two members 32 and 35 into vertical alignment as in the previously described forms. The sign members of the second form of the invention also carry warning lettering as in the first form.

In the second form both the box 23 and the lid 24 carry cross foot bars 31 mounted on pivot rivets 38 so that both the box and the 'lid can be set up as independent road warning Signs.

It can be readily seen that when not in use,

the improved warning signal forms a neat closed,

easily carried box, and when erected, forms a very visible, sturdy warning sign.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is to be understood that the same may be varied,-'Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing irom the spirit :of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent 1s: v V

-1. A portable road sign signal device comprising: an elongated, open-topped box; a lower sign section having a length and a width to fit snugly within said box parallel to the bottom thereof; hinges hingedly securing the lower extremity of said lower sign section to the bottom of said box adjacent-one end of the latter; means forholding said lower sign section in the vertical position; an upper sign section corresponding substantially in length and width to said first section; hinges securing said two sections together so that when in use they may swing into vertical alignment abovesaid box when the latter is rested horizontally upon the ground and. into a horizontal parallel position within said box when not in use; warning characters carried uponthe faces of saidsign sections; a first'spring means urging said lower sign section toward the vertical'position; and a second'spring means urging the upper sign section into vertical alignment'with the lower sign section; and withdrawable locking means extending into said box at a position to lock said sign sections in either the'vertical or the horizontal positions.

2. A portable road sign signal device comprising: an elongated, open-topped'box; a lower sign section having a length and a width to 'fit snugly within said box parallel to the bottom thereof; hinges hingedly securing the lower extremity of said lower signsection to the bottom 'of said box adjacent'one end of the latter; means for holding said-lower sign section in the vertical position; an upper sign section corresponding substantially in length and width to said first section; hinges securing said two sections together so that when in use they may swing into vertical alignment above said box when the latter isrested horizontally upon the ground and into a horizontal parallel position within said box when not in use; warning characters carried upon the faces of said sign sections; a first spring means urging said lower sign section toward the vertical position; a second spring means urging the upper sign section into vertical alignment with the lower sign section; withdrawable looking means extending into said box at a position to lock said sign sections in either the vertical or the horizontal positions; a cross foot member; and a pivot member pivotally securing said cross foot member beneath the bottom of said box at the mid-points of both the member and the bottom so that the member may be swung eitherlongitudinally or transversally of the axis of said box for preventing sideward tipping of the latter.

3. .A portable road sign signal device comprising: an elongated, open-topped box; a lower sign section having a length and a width to fit snugly within said box parallel to the bottom thereof; hinges hingedly securing the lower extremity of said lower signsection to the bottom of said box adjacent one end of the latter; :means for holding said lower sign section in the vertical position; an upper sign section corresponding substantially in length and width to said first section; hinges securing said two sections together so that when in use theymay swing into vertical alignment above said box when the latter is rested horizontally upon the ground and into a horizontal parallel position within said box when not in use; warning characters .carried upon the .faces of said sign sections; a first spring means urging said lower signsection toward the vertical position; a second spring means urging the upper sign section into vertical alignment with the lower sign section; withdrawable locking means extending into said box at a position to lock said sign sections in either the vertical or the horizontal positions; -a cross foot member; and a pivot member pivotally securing said cross .foot member beneath the bottom of said box at the mid-points of both the member and the bottom so that the member may be swung'either longitudinally or transversallyof the 'axis 'of said box for preventing sideward tipping of the latter, there being longitudinal and transverse recesses in the bottom of .said box :for receiving'said foot in either position.

- EDWARD S. 'TR'ANSUE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES :PA'IENTS Number Name 'Date 1,408,079 Davis Feb. 28, 1922 1,534,943 Gonzalez Apr. 21, 1925 2,062,479 Ritz-Woller Dec. 1, 1936 2,090,157 Smith Aug. 17, 1937 2,324,820 Capps -July 20, 1943 2,517,119 Le Duo Aug. 1, 1950 

